Methacrylate copolymer and compositions comprising it

Abstract

A novel methacrylic copolymer contains units derived from at least one alkyl methacrylate and methacrylamide. The units derived from methacrylamide are present in at least 34 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the methacrylic copolymer. A method can be used for preparing these novel methacylic copolymers. Pharmaceutical compositions, nutraceutical compositions, coated pharmaceutical or nutraceutical dosage forms, as well as nano- or microparticles can contain the methacrylic copolymer. The methacrylic copolymer can be used as a coating, as a carrier, and as a matrix for an amorphous solid dispersion.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A methacrylic copolymer, consisting of:
 units derived from at least one alkyl methacrylate; and 
 units derived from methacrylamide, 
 wherein the units derived from methacrylamide are present in at least 34 wt. %, based on a total weight of the methacrylic copolymer. 
 
     
     
       2. A methacrylic copolymer according to  claim 1 , wherein the methacrylic copolymer has:
 i) a weight average molecular weight Mw of from 15,000 to 500,000 g/mol; and/or 
 ii) a number average molecular weight Mn of from 10,000 to 150,000 g/mol; and/or 
 iii) a polydispersity of from 2.0 to 10.0; and/or 
 iv) a glass transition temperature Tg of from 60 to 100° C. 
 
     
     
       3. A methacrylic copolymer according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the methacrylic copolymer is a dimethylaminopropyl methacrylamide-butyl methacrylate-methyl methacrylate copolymer. 
 
     
     
       4. A method of preparing the methacrylic copolymer according to  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 performing a free radical polymerization of a monomer mixture consisting of:
 40 to 60 wt. % of a methacrylamide, alkyl methacrylamide or aminoalkyl methacrylamide; and 
 40 to 60 wt. % of at least one alkyl methacrylate, 
 wherein a sum of monomers is 100 wt. %, 
 
 in the presence of 
 at least one initiator; 
 at least one chain-transfer agent; and 
 optionally, in the presence of at least one solvent. 
 
     
     
       5. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising:
 at least one said methacrylic copolymer according to  claim 1 , and 
 at least one pharmaceutically active ingredient. 
 
     
     
       6. A nutraceutical composition, comprising:
 at least one said methacrylic copolymer according to  claim 1 , and 
 at least one nutraceutically active ingredient. 
 
     
     
       7. A coated pharmaceutical or nutraceutical dosage form, wherein a coating comprises at least one said methacrylic copolymer according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
       8. A nano- or microparticle comprising at least one said methacrylic copolymer according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
       9. A method of coating, comprising:
 coating an object with at least one said methacrylic copolymer according to  claim 1 . 
 
     
     
       10. A method comprising:
 carrying an active pharmaceutical ingredient with at least one said methacrylic copolymer according to  claim 1 . 
 
     
     
       11. A method of dispersing, comprising:
 preparing an amorphous solid dispersion with at least one said methacrylic copolymer according to  claim 1  as a matrix. 
 
     
     
       12. A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 5 , wherein the methacrylic copolymer is a dimethylaminopropyl methacrylamide-butyl methacrylate-methyl methacrylate copolymer. 
     
     
       13. A nutraceutical composition according to  claim 6 , wherein the methacrylic copolymer is a dimethylaminopropyl methacrylamide-butyl methacrylate-methyl methacrylate copolymer. 
     
     
       14. A methacrylic copolymer according to  claim 1  wherein said units derived from methacrylamide are derived from dimethylaminopropyl methacrylamide. 
     
     
       15. A method according to  claim 4  wherein said copolymer is dimethylaminopropyl methacrylamide-butyl methacrylate-methyl methacrylate copolymer and said monomer mixture that is polymerized consists of 40 to 60 wt. % of dimethylaminopropyl methacrylamide, 15 to 35 wt. % of butyl methacrylate and 15 to 35 wt. % of methyl methacrylate. 
     
     
       16. A pharmaceutical formulation including the pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 5  in a form of at least one of tablets, orodispersible tablets, pills, pellets, capsules, dragees and granules. 
     
     
       17. A nutraceutical formulation including the neutraceutical composition according to  claim 6  in a form of at least one of tablets, pills, pellets and capsules.